We are living in times of great struggle and difficulties with the current (COVID-19) Coronavirus effecting everyone’s day to day lives. With the government guidelines to stay home, protect the NHS, save lives has made people spend a lot of time together in the same house without an escape route.
There is never an excuse for domestic abuse, no matter what the circumstances are.
Staying at home can cause stress and anxiety to everyone in the household. This in effect can turn into abuse and violence. For those who are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse, would feel trapped without any help.
For anyone who feels they are at risk of abuse, it is important to remember that there is help and support available to you, including police response, online support, helplines, refuges and other services.
Friends, family, neighbours and community members can be a vital lifeline to those living with domestic abuse. If you are worried that someone you know may be a victim of domestic abuse, reassure them that the police and support services are still there to help and direct them to sources of support.
WHAT IS DOMESTIC ABUSE?
Domestic abuse is not always physical violence. It can also include, but is not limited to:
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coercive control and ‘gaslighting’
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economic abuse
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online abuse
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verbal abuse
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emotional abuse
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sexual abuse
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CAN YOU SPOT DV - WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR:
If you believe that you or someone else could be a victim of domestic abuse, there are signs that you can look out for including:
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being withdrawn
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having bruises
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controlling finances
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not being allowed to leave the house
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monitoring technology use such as social media platforms
WHERE TO GET HELP
Woodford Wise have a dedicated helpline for victims of domestic violence. You can call us on 020 8532 4191. We are able to assess and advice you on the difficult position that you or family members may be in. The advice is confidential and free. If we have to take action for you with the courts for injunctions or other family related matters, we may be able to apply Legal Aid to your matter. If you believe you are being abused, or worried you may commit domestic abuse, please use the services on this page.
If you suspect that your neighbors or those in your community are victims of domestic abuse, we encourage you to report it to the police.
Call 999
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police - the police will continue to respond to emergency calls.
If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, dial 999, listen to the questions from the operator and respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can. Then follow the instructions depending on whether you are calling from a mobile or a landline.
If you call from a mobile
If prompted, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard - this will transfer your call to the police.
Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.
If you call 999 from a landline
If only background noise can be heard and BT operators cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, then you will be connected to a police call handler.
If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick up again.
When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about your location should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.